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<img id="image127" src="http://acrazyone.com/wp-content/uploads//leonardo_dicaprio31.jpg" alt="Leo &amp; Jack" /></div>
Damn, I've been waiting to catch this movie since I heard the cast, saw the trailer and marked the release date. (And wrote my <a href="http://acrazyone.com/2006/08/23/trailer-spotlight-the-departed/">Trailer Spotlight</a>) Finally, that Friday came. Unfortunately, no friends would go because it was "too expensive". Thus, I was forced to go alone - something which I have no problem of doing; especially noting my viewing of the Last Kiss alone. With drink in hand, I was pumped.

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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/">The Departed</a>, a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000217/">Martin Scorsese</a> film, is actually a remake of an Asian film entitled <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/">Infernal Affairs</a>; not to be confused with In<strong>t</strong>ernal Affairs. Despite the fact it's a remake, the screen play changes a fair few things as well as localizes it. For example, a glaring difference is the location. Instead of Hong Kong, the film takes place in Boston. Instead of the Triads, the gang in Hong Kong, the Irish gang prowls the city. In fact, a couple scenes are completely removed or altered to the point of nonrecognition. Scorsese, in a sense, modernizes the film. He relates it to the present and American side rather than the vastly different story that is Hong Kong versus China. However, the remake wasn't entirely bad. It did, if nothing else, brought a great film to a new audience that isn't typically a fan of Asian films.

Audiences may not take an affinity with Asian films, but audiences everywhere can appreciate the cast that resonates from the rope of polyester. The said cast includes <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000138/">Leonardo DiCaprio</a>, who reunites with Scorese for the first time since Aviator; <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000354/">Matt Damon</a>, of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372183/">Bourne Supremacy</a> stardom; <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000197/">Jack Nicholson</a>, who needs no explanation; and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000242/">Mark Wahlberg</a>, last seen in Disney's Invincible. Add <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000640/">Martin Sheen</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000285/">Alec Baldwin</a> to the cast and it's dynamite. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0267812/">Vera Farmiga</a> plays a delicate lover torn between two men. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026364/">Anthony Anderson</a> even makes an appearance.

DiCaprio will be up for an Oscar. If not, I'll be shocked. Another movie of this caliber most likely won't come up before Oscar time. (Though, Children of Men is rumored and poised to stun.) His screen presence is flat out astonishing. The whole time it was like he was wiping his notable role of Jack Dawson in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/">Titanic</a> and replacing it with Billy Costigan. It seemed he wanted to be remembered as Billy rather than Jack, at least for now. Matt Damon is good as always, but is honestly overshadowed by Leo's performance. Of course, he reaffirms that he still has the better acting carreer than <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119217/">Good Will Hunting</a> friend and counterpart <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000255/">Ben Affleck</a>. Mark Wahlberg, in a surprisingly small role, was exceptionally funny. It was unlike any role he's played to date. He has, along with Alec Baldwin, some comic scenes that help inject entertainment into an already entertaining script. Vera Farmiga's Madolyn was essentially because it was the border between the yin and the yang, if you will. She played both sides just as the two moles did, yet she did it unknowingly. It was a delicate part and one tricky to get right, but she did.

Then, of course, there's Jack Nicholson. What else can be said except, this guy can act. He's the perfect kingpin and has some very nice scenes with Leo, where the talent sometimes exceeds the potential. The two have chemistry, period.

Scorsese returns to his <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099685/">Goodfellas</a> form. Taking a page from his own film, the cinematography was simply stunning. Everything from angles to lighting to the visuals were breathtakingly stunning, to say the least. With a run time of two and half hours, the movie tops the original, which ran only one hour thirty minutes. However, the extra hour, though it may make the movie unbearable for some, is well worth it. It helps the audience get to know the characters better. Moreover, it fits with Scorsese's style. Everything about the movie, especially the editing, was well above average.

Though the movie seemingly has only three songs that accompany the visuals, they are three very well chosen songs. Gimme Shelter and Comfortably Numb are both in the trailer(s). They both fit this film to a tee. Along with those two famous songs, is "I'm Shipping off to Boston" by Dropkick Murphy's. Imagine a bagpipe with an electric rock band. Cool, definitely. The shots that accompany the music, this song especially, makes the movie that much more enjoyable. It adds, if nothing else, suspense.

Overall, it couldn't top <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449059/">Little Miss Sunshine</a> for best movie of the year. Reason being is solely the fact that Little Miss Sunshine was completely original whereas The Departed was a remake. Having said that, the two really aren't comparable. Two vastly different genres with two vastly different audiences. Even so, one movie must win Best Picture and thus far, it's Little Miss Sunshine. Don't let that dissuade you from attending a showing of Scorsese's recent masterpiece.

<strong>Rating:</strong> 5 <em>out of 5 stars.</em>

<shameless plug>If you're interested in other, select, movie reviews or perhaps just a dose of social commentary, visit My Site (http://acrazyone.com) </shameless plug>

Halfcan

10-07-2006, 10:20 PM

So are you saying, wait til its on DVD?

irishjayhawk

10-07-2006, 10:25 PM

Definitely. :)

Tribal Warfare

10-07-2006, 11:38 PM

saw it last night , and it was BADASS

Halfcan

10-08-2006, 12:10 AM

I just noticed-that if Jack lets his eyebrows grow out-he could almost pass for Bob Dole.

Deberg_1990

10-09-2006, 04:36 PM

Just got back from seeing it. Fan freakin tastic!

One of the best films of the year. Scorcese is back where he belongs. I also agree that DiCaprio deserves a nomination.

Demonpenz

10-09-2006, 04:39 PM

i liked goodfellas better

JBucc

10-09-2006, 04:42 PM

I don't see movies in theater anymore, but I'll catch it when it comes out.

JBucc

10-09-2006, 04:43 PM

On DVD

Crashride

10-09-2006, 04:57 PM

Homerism on the rating lol

Halfcan

11-01-2006, 02:03 PM

I just went and saw this last night and was very disapointed. Leo gave a good performance that reminded me of what he did in the Beach. Jack gave the average Jack effort. Marky Mark was terrible in this-mostly due to his stoopid lines. I thought the story was improbable that they Matt and Leo would be seeing the same girl and also that the whole Police force could not figure out the Matt was the Rat.

The ending was a joke-it is like Martin could not think of what to do-so you have everyone die, a touching funeral for Leo, then have the bad guy get it in the end on a set up that fooled nobody. I really wanted to see this and tried to go along with the weak story-the end was one of the worst I have ever seen.

Half a beer out of a Six Pack is my rating.

Definately should have waited for it to come on DVD.

Robo-Chachi

11-01-2006, 02:06 PM

I saw this 2 weeks ago and loved it.

Frazod

11-01-2006, 02:15 PM

Saw it over the weekend. Great flick. Not quite as good as Goodfellas but pretty damn close. Hopefully Scorcese will FINALLY get his friggin Oscar.

BY THE WAY - SPOILER ALERT ON HALFCAN'S F#CKING POST - DON'T READ BELOW IF YOU PLAN ON SEEING THIS.
:shake:

Halfcan

11-01-2006, 02:50 PM

Saw it over the weekend. Great flick. Not quite as good as Goodfellas but pretty damn close. Hopefully Scorcese will FINALLY get his friggin Oscar.

BY THE WAY - SPOILER ALERT ON HALFCAN'S F#CKING POST - DON'T READ BELOW IF YOU PLAN ON SEEING THIS.
:shake:

ROFL Considering people have been complaining about the ending all over the net-I don't think that gives away much. Its a gangster movie-everyone always dies.

Duck Dog

11-01-2006, 03:50 PM

Do Damon, Sheen and Baldwin die in the movie? Cuz, I'd pay to see that.

keg in kc

11-01-2006, 03:56 PM

I saw it. It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed. Way too many plot holes and convenient contrivances.

Halfcan

11-01-2006, 04:24 PM

I saw it. It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed. Way too many plot holes and convenient contrivances.

yep :clap:

AZORChiefFan

11-01-2006, 04:28 PM

I saw it a couple weeks ago and thought it was rather weak.

Just messing with you Irish,

I really enjoyed this movie.

Guru

02-14-2007, 02:20 AM

Outstanding movie.
Your site is down by the way.

One problem with the end, I won't spoil it, but the previews have a pivotal scene that makes the end of the movie extremely obvious.

Sure-Oz

02-14-2007, 12:40 PM

I never really saw the previews thank goodness, but bought it last night and will watch it probably tomorrow night.

jidar

02-14-2007, 12:41 PM

That movie is damned good.

crazycoffey

02-14-2007, 01:14 PM

I liked it, thought it was good.

haven't seen the little miss sunshine yet.

Eric

02-14-2007, 02:19 PM

It's like his work has been pigeon holed and he can't break out. The studios only fund his ganster movies because they're bankable ? Seems like it.

It's kind of become cliche with the ganster movies.

I don't know why we have to give him an oscar just for sympathy.

Miles

02-15-2007, 08:34 PM

Finally saw it earlier tonight. Damn good movie with very solid acting all around.

Deberg_1990

02-15-2007, 08:50 PM

It's like his work has been pigeon holed and he can't break out. The studios only fund his ganster movies because they're bankable ? Seems like it.

It's kind of become cliche with the ganster movies.

I don't know why we have to give him an oscar just for sympathy.

Huh?? Its not like all he makes are Gangster flicks? He hadnt made one before this since 95. (unless you count Gangs of new York?)

He also never made one in the 1980's at all...

Hes far from a one-dimensional filmaker...

Also, if he wins for Departed, it wouldnt be just "sympathy" Its a damn good film.

noa

02-15-2007, 08:52 PM

Has anyone here seen Infernal Affairs? Its a great movie, and the ending is different from The Departed.

Miles

02-15-2007, 08:56 PM

Huh?? Its not like all he makes are Gangster flicks? He hadnt made one before this since 95. (unless you count Gangs of new York?)

He also never made one in the 1980's at all...

Hes far from a one-dimensional filmaker...

Also, if he wins for Departed, it wouldnt be just "sympathy" Its a damn good film.

Agreed on all points. I know its easy to overrate something recent but I found the The Departed to be one of his better films. Easily one of his better ones from an entertainment standpoint as well.

Miles

02-15-2007, 08:58 PM

Has anyone here seen Infernal Affairs? Its a great movie, and the ending is different from The Departed.

Also a damn good movie but its been a little while since I have seen it. I have been meaning to get around to the sequels.

noa

02-15-2007, 09:07 PM

Also a damn good movie but its been a little while since I have seen it. I have been meaning to get around to the sequels.

Yeah, I haven't seen the sequels either, but I read that the screenwriter for The Departed is considering doing American sequels as well. That would definitely be motivation to go rent Infernal Affairs 2 & 3.